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Update on Information Technology Advancement Project (ITAP)

Project Launches: The Information Technology Advancement Project (ITAP) is the City’s technology initiative to move the City's development review process to a paperless system. The paperless process will allow online access to the City bureaus' permitting and case services.

We are excited to announce that ITAP was officially launched with an executive kickoff on June 25th. This kickoff followed several months of very constructive contract negotiations between the City and the vendor team (Team Sierra). Team Sierra is composed of representatives from: Sierra Systems (project management and system implementation), Infor (software for the permit and case management system), Avolve/ProjectDox (software for digital plan review), and 21 Tech (system integration specialists).

On Monday, July 8th members of Team Sierra arrived on-site and are working in earnest alongside the City ITAP Team. The substantial progress that City staff has made on Process Mapping the workflows involved with a wide range of permit types will provide a head-start to the documentation required to assure the system increases efficiencies and access for both customers and employees.

Given the size, cost, and complexity of this project, as well as its impact on City staff and community stakeholders, a professional project manager will be hired to supervise the software vendor’s performance and ensure ITAP is completed on time, within budget, and within the determined project scope. The hiring process is underway and we expect to have someone on board by the end of August.

The Bureau of Development Services (BDS) continues to seek input and feedback on ITAP. If you have an interest in the City’s development review services, you are welcome to submit questions and suggestions to the BDS Communications and Organizational Development Manager, Ross Caron. Ross can be reached at Ross.Caron@PortlandOregon.gov or (503) 823-4268.

ITAP Customer Advisory Committee Seeks Additional Members

The IT Advancement Project’s Customer Advisory Committee is a citizen advisory committee, comprised of approximately twelve members who represent a variety of interests. The committee helps the ITAP Team identify any issues with current business processes that may be corrected in the new permit system or that can be addressed prior to system implementation. The Committee also contributes in other ways to the success of ITAP, by providing the ITAP Team with feedback and input on the project as it moves forward.

The committee is currently seeking three to four additional members. In particular, the committee seeks representatives from:

Surveying Companies

Mid to Large-Sized Construction Companies

City residents interested in neighborhood safety and livability issues related to new construction and remodeling projects

Plumbing and/or Electrical Contractors

Project Manager, Ross Caron emphasizes, “We really need to hear from our customers and what their needs are for the automated services that ITAP will provide.”

The Committee will meet at least quarterly during the duration of the project at the 1900 Fourth Avenue Building.

Current ITAP Customer Advisory Committee Members Include:

Keith Skille DRAC, GBD Architects

Linda Bauer Neighborhood, Pleasant Valley Neighborhood Association

Rick Michaelson DRAC, Inner City Properties, Inc.

Jennifer Kimura Engineer, VLMK Consulting Engineers

John Brooks Engineer, VLMK Consulting Engineers

Josh Lighthipe Engineer, KPFF Consulting Engineers

Simon Tomkinson DRAC, Third Sector, Inc.

Rob Humphrey Land Use/Permit Runner, Faster Permits

If you would like to be considered for membership on the ITAP Customer Advisory Committee, please contact the BDS Communications and Organizational Development Manager, Ross Caron. Ross can be reached at Ross.Caron@PortlandOregon.gov or (503) 823-4268.